Golden Snails, Tropical Fish

Question
I have a few questions for you. Thank you for making yourself available on Allexperts.

1. I have two golden mystery snails. I try to keep the tank algae-free as much as possible, but I read somewhere that these snails can eat algae. What do these snails need to eat? I keep the tank very clean - can they get enough nutrition just in what few flakes make it to the bottom or do I need to give them something?

2. If they do need algae wafers, will putting sinking algae wafers into my tank cause algae to grow? I have problems with algae from time to time and would hate to introduce a strain of it before it comes on its own anyway. Does food algae cause tank algae to grow?

3. Also about the golden snails, have you ever heard of them "playing dead"? They seem to stop crawling on the tank floor and walls, and they just float at the top for days at a time. Then, suddenly, they come back to life. Are they OK? Is something in my water causing them to do this?

4. I've read, about tropical fish in general now (I have black mollies, red wag platys, and neon tetras) that they need, in addition to their normal flake food, some dried bloodworms or some brine shrimp. Is this true or will my flake food provide them with enough nutrition?

Thank you,
Michael Salley
michaelsalley@bellsouth.net

Answer
Hello Again Michael!!!

Golden Mystery snails are primarily herbivores, occasionally nibbling on fish food that happens to rest on the bottom. They do appreciate getting to eat green algae growing on the decor but I have found they don't seem to be able to keep the aquarium they are in sparkling clean. I don't think it is neccesary to entirely get rid of all the algae (mainly if it's green) for it provides a very natural food source for snails and fish alike. Not that you should let green algae take all over. But try to leave a little on the decor (it gives it a natural look too!) and on the back unless you can't absolutely stand algae. I don't think they should be expected to live entirely on whatever sinks to the bottom. Instead feed them lots of vegetables like cucumber, squash, broccoli and most other vegetables. In addition with sinking algae wafers and other fish food will provide a complete diet.

I haven't found algae wafers to cause any increase in the amount of algae in any of my aquariuns. It helps to be sure and do frequent decent sized water changes  to cut down on the nutrient levels like I do. Controlling the amount of light an aquarium also helps. 12 hours is the best schedual. Maybe even a bit less if you don't have aquatic plants.

Snails often love to confuse and worry their owners every so often by floating as if they have died. Only kidding! Just about all snails do this, it's quite normal behavior. Sometime though they get a bubble trapped in their shell and you can try turning them upside down to let any air out to be sure this isn't the problem.

It's VERY important to supplement any fish's diet with dried worms, brine shrimp, and most other dried or frozen food also try giving your fish algae wafers. The best diet for all tropical fish is a high-quality flake food with lots of variety.

Be sure with your snails and fish that you always do frequent water changes. ~ 30% twice a week is good.

I hope this helps!

Happy fishkeeping!
Karen~